£2.95 JUNE 2020 THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE WWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET www.blmgroup.co.uk BLM GROUPGROUP BLM £2.95 JUNE 2020THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE New summer fashion Farm & Country Link Home inspiration Lincolnshire wildlife New summer fashion Farm & Country Link Home inspiration Lincolnshire wildlife 01.qxp_Layout 1 29/05/2020 15:45 Page 1Make your house their home! Permanent fostering gives children, including brothers and sisters, a chance to be cared for long-term in a safe, stable, and loving family home for the rest of their childhood. Watch our new animated film, Ellie’s Story, which highlights the voice of the child in long-term foster care at www.facebook.com/fosteradoptlincs Apply to foster today at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/fostering or call 01522 554114 for more information. 02.qxp_Layout 1 29/05/2020 15:46 Page 1from the editor Even as I write this, the government is taking steps to ease the lockdown we’ve all lived under these past few months and planning to re-open non-essential shops. Bit by bit, life is beginning to resemble how things looked before the outbreak. Although things will never be exactly as they were before, I’m sure – like me – this will come as something of a relief. After all, there’s so much to do and see in Lincolnshire that it’s been a strange experience being stuck inside most of the time. With all that said, I want to remind readers to stay safe and to use their judgment and common sense going forward. Things have eased and relaxed, true, but COVID-19 hasn’t just disappeared, and we must all of us remain vigilant. But as things ease and the county begins to open again, let Lincolnshire Today be your guide. Our June issue contains that winning mix you’ve come to expect time and again. All your favourite sections are here, new and old, plus plenty more besides. Whether you’ll be taking your first tentative steps to the shops come mid-June, or if you’re still planning on sticking to your home and garden, you have a trusted companion in Lincolnshire Today. As ever, dear reader, we’re here for you. Stay safe, Michael Fisher Editor and the Lincolnshire Today team The magazine that cares WE CARE because we want to leave our world a better place than we found it Lincolnshire Today believes that being socially and environmentally responsible is the key to maintaining a flourishing business that our customers will be pleased to use and our staff will be proud to be part of. Community - From a very local point of view, we strive to be a ‘good neighbour’. We also extend that into the much broader local community, through financial support of local causes and charities. Environment - Our actions extend to: conservation of energy and natural resources, minimisation of waste and ensuring our trading partners do likewise. Group Editor: Steve Fisher Editor: Michael Fisher Assistant Editor: Dominic Cuthbert Journalist: Tess Egginton Sales Director: Angela Cooper Sales: Kerry Randerson Accounts & Circulations: Angela Sharman, John Downes (01472) 310301 Design & Production: Gary Jorgensen, Mark Casson Advertising: Tel: (01472) 310302 Editorial: Tel: (01472) 310305 Part Of The Business Link Magazine Group: Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, N E Lincs DN31 2QE Email: lincs-today@blmgroup.co.uk Website: www.lincolnshiretoday.net ISSN No: 1366-1299 © All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without express permission of the copyright holder, for which application should be addressed first to the publisher. While every reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor its participating agents accept liability for loss or damage to prints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to this publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of those held by the publisher. This magazine is now fully recyclable. By recycling magazines, you can help reduce waste and add to the 5.5 million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paper industry each year. Before you recycle your magazine, please ensure you remove all plastic wrapping, free gifts and samples. If you are unable to participate in a recycling scheme, then why not pass your magazine onto a local hospital or charity? FRONT COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF HTTP://AIRPOWERART.CO.UK LincolnshireToday @lincstoday lincolnshiretoday.net 03.qxp_Layout 1 29/05/2020 15:47 Page 1Features 6 THIS MONTH IN LINCOLNSHIRE What’s been going on in the county this month? 24LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFE This month, we take a closer look at the badger, an animal that’s loved and loathed in equal measure 26WILDLIFE IN LOCKDOWN we showcase some beautiful snaps sent in by readers who have captured our county’s graceful wildlife in all its glory 28STYLE ALL SUMMER LONG There’s no denying it – summer is upon us. So it’s time to bring out those loose flowing dresses with the pastel shades and floral prints 34MAKING YOUR OUTFITS POP Bring out the best of your summer outfits with a few accessories. If you’re stuck for inspiration, here’s a handy little guide to getting started 36GETTING READY FOR SUMMER Bring out the shorts and short sleeves, summer is officially here 38SECRETS FOR STRONGER, HEALTHY HAIR With hair salons still shut due to social distancing, Joanna Atkins from Hair on the Lawn in Lincoln has put together some helpful tips to improve your hair health and have fun learning new skills without any damage or costly mistakes 40DON’T BID ADIEU TO FITNESS The COVID-19 pandemic has seen many of us take an exercise break and introduce a few more comfort foods into our day-to-day lives. Now is the time to get back on track 42QUICK PREP, BIG IMPACT It’s summer – you want quick and easy recipes that don’t scrimp on flavour or panache. Here’s a few of our favourites that will delight your taste buds 46BACK IN BUSINESS In this special feature, Lincolnshire Today highlights local businesses that have recently reopened and those that have worked tirelessly throughout the lockdown 54LINCOLNSHIRE HERITAGE EXPLORED This month we visit Bourne in the south of the county, one of Lincolnshire’s historic market towns and one with a long and distinguished history JUNE THERE’S NO DENYING IT – SUMMER IS UPON US. SO IT’S TIME TO BRING OUT THOSE LOOSE FLOWING DRESSES WITH THE PASTEL SHADES AND FLORAL PRINTS contents 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 29/05/2020 15:51 Page 1THE OUTBREAK OF COVID-19 HAS SHOWN NOT ONLY HOW IMPORTANT THE FARMING AND AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES ARE – BOTH LOCALLY AND NATIONWIDE – BUT ALSO HOW MUCH WE EACH OF US RELY ON THEM 56A CATALYST FOR CHANGE Secondary school education is continually changing, from institutions making the academy switch, to budget cuts and the implementation of new grading techniques for GCSEs. That’s doubly true in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic which not only saw schools shut down for months but, will inevitably change the way schools operate going forward 59YOU CAN’T PUT A PRICE ON CARING It’s not an easy decision to put an elderly relative into a care home, but with the warm and welcoming facilities across the country to choose from, it could well mean a new lease of life 62FARM & COUNTRY NEWS The latest news from across the countryside 65THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY The outbreak of COVID-19 has shown not only how important the farming and agricultural industries are – both locally and nationwide – but also how much we each of us rely on them 68COUNTY MOTORING Automotive manufacturing is beginning to resume, and car dealerships have been able to open again as the lockdown eases, but the pandemic is likely to leave lasting effects on the motor industry, as we explore Desirable homes 11TRIED, TESTED AND TRUSTED The people to choose for your home improvements 12A QUAINT CHOCOLATE BOX COTTAGE This surprisingly spacious and bright chocolate box cottage boasts a plethora of eye-catching original features and a garden one would love to get lost in 18THIS CHARMING ROOM Now’s the perfect time to add some charm to your home. We could all use some cheering up even as the economy begins to open up and the lockdown begins to ease. For all that, we’ll still be spending more time at home this summer than any of us originally thought 20THE WAYWARD BEAUTY OF WILD THINGS Samantha Greenhill’s inviting animal portraits offer an intimate look at the natural world 22CREATING A SAFE OUTDOOR SPACE Ed Fuller from Fullers Landscaping explores the importance of maintaining our gardens in these unprecedented, uncertain times 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 29/05/2020 15:51 Page 2latest news JET teams up with RAF pilots to launch free online support for young people New service to support vulnerable people in criminal justice system A first-of-its-kind service is launching in Lincolnshire to support vulnerable individuals in the criminal justice system. Delivered by Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) and Lincolnshire Action Trust (LAT), the Lincolnshire Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion service provides support for people who are identified as having potential vulnerabilities, when they first encounter the criminal justice system, suspected of having committed a crime. Police can refer people they identify as being potentially vulnerable to the service. Information is then shared with police and courts to determine the best course of action for the individual. The service could establish extra support if the person remains within the criminal justice system, or if appropriate the individual could be diverted into health, social care or other support services. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the new service is currently operating in police custody and provides information electronically to the courts and other agencies. University of Lincoln’s COVID-19 campaign tops £90,000 in charitable donations The University of Lincoln has raised more than £90,000 to help produce protective equipment for frontline workers, and its engineering team is currently producing more than 700 safety visors a week for GPs, pharmacists, care workers and supermarket employees. The momentous effort has seen more than 1,800 donations to the University’s Just Giving page to date, with charitable contributions still rolling in. The current £90,000 total includes donations and additional Gift Aid. A substantial contribution was made by the University itself to help respond to the global COVID-19 crisis, and since the campaign was launched at the end of March, members of public across Greater Lincolnshire and beyond have been keen to join the effort. The University’s School of Engineering is manufacturing safety visors and other protective equipment, and the School of Design are supporting the national project For the Love of Scrubs by producing scrubs for NHS staff. Technicians and alumni are cutting and sewing scrubs, as well as providing reams of fabric to volunteer sewers across Lincolnshire. More than 600 sets of scrubs have been produced so far, with an extra 250 sewn for student nurses from the University of Lincoln, who have volunteered to begin working early to help combat COVID-19. To make a donation, visit the University of Lincoln’s Just Giving page at shorturl.at/oDW15. The Jon Egging Trust (JET) has teamed up with RAF fast-jet pilots to produce a series of inspirational short films for young people to help them through the coronavirus pandemic and their return to school. Each clip features a role model from the world of aviation, as well as other industries, and focuses on the key life skills of JET’s Blue Skies youth programme: communication, teamwork, goal setting and resilience. Giving young people support and inspiring them to achieve and be the best they can be is now more important than ever. Pilots from the RAF are amongst a number of those participating in this project. The campaign is also backed by business partners from various industries who were instrumental in delivering sessions for young people before the pandemic hit. You can see the clips here: www.joneggingtrust.org.uk/inspired. 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 29/05/2020 16:07 Page 1Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance (LNNA) will be able to carry out more missions as doctors return to the ambucopter. Over the last few weeks, some of the charity’s doctors had been called back to the NHS from their shifts with LNAA to support hospitals in coping with the coronavirus pandemic. Along with some crew members self-isolating, it meant that the charity had to scale back night missions and projected we wouldn’t be able to fly at all, at night, through May. But some of those crew members, including doctors, are now able to fulfil some shifts with us which means we can provide around 50% night-time cover through May. LNAA has launched a fundraising appeal as the charity anticipates a loss of up to £3 million because of the pandemic. Already the charity has had to close its shops and cancel vital fundraising activities which, over the spring and summer months, provide a significant boost to its income. Readers can donate at www.ambucopter.org.uk/donate/form. Boston Borough and East Lindsey Councils consider strategic alliance to save millions An ambitious plan to form a strategic alliance between Boston Borough Council and East Lindsey District Council will be considered by Councillors from both Authorities. The move – which would save around £1.8 million per year once implemented – would start with the appointment of a Joint Chief Executive/Head of Paid Service, Joint Monitoring Officer and Joint Section 151 Finance Officer (all statutory positions) before the wider joining of forces in other areas of the Councils’ activity, including a shared Management Team. Whilst both Councils would retain their own identity and accountability to their local communities, they say the new partnership would provide the opportunity for both organisations to improve the delivery of services to local people through the sharing of expertise and provide greater value for money through more efficient ways of working and economies of scale. It is also expected that the arrangements would better position both Councils to secure future Government growth funding and provide the Councils with a stronger voice to influence how services are delivered locally in the future. The current Chief Executive of East Lindsey District Council, Rob Barlow, will be recommended as Joint Chief Executive, with Boston Borough Council’s Chief Executive, Phil Drury, agreeing to step aside to allow the merger to be implemented if approved by both Authorities. If supported by the Executive Board/Cabinet on May 20 and Councils on June 10, the Councils would formally join forces on July 1, 2020. More night missions for Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance © Shutterstock/metamorworks as doctors return 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 29/05/2020 16:07 Page 2Nearly 100 student nurses have joined the frontline NHS Lincolnshire teams to help fight back against the coronavirus pandemic. The final year student nurses from the University of Lincoln joined all three Lincolnshire healthcare providers at the end of April. Here they are playing important roles in supporting acute hospitals, community services, and mental health and learning disability services. This cohort of nurses will boost the Lincolnshire workforce, following a national call for nurses in-training to step up and serve in the fight against coronavirus. Students will work in all kinds of healthcare settings in Lincolnshire, matching their skills to meet particular needs in our local area. Dr Kate Grafton, Head of School of Health & Social Care at the University of Lincoln, said: “The students’ commitment and confidence in volunteering to support the workforce at this time of national crisis is a testament to the strong partnership working with our or clinical placement providers, excellent teaching and placement support.” More than £120,000 of funding has been awarded to sixty-two community-led projects dealing with the impact of COVID-19 across the UK. The successful applicants are tackling COVID-19 in several ways – from grocery, hot meal, and prescription delivery in remote areas, to setting up community shops and food banks, or providing business support tailored for rural and farm businesses. The Prince’s Countryside Fund received nearly 300 applications for assistance, and thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the Royal Warrant Holders Association Charitable Trust, the Barbour Foundation, and the generosity of its own corporate partners, were able to release £120,963 in funding to 62 projects, benefitting people living and working in rural areas. The Fund has also awarded the Farming Community Network over £6000 to allow them to increase their helpline provision. latest news Grimsby site cleared for new family space The removal of old trees and undergrowth from a site in central Grimsby will enable its complete transformation into a family space where biodiversity can thrive. With the Garth Lane site now clear, work on its redevelopment – and that of its nearby waterfront and pedestrian areas – will start. A scheduled March start date for major works has been postponed due to the on-going coronavirus situation. However, work on an initial phase of the project has already begun, focusing on a self-contained section on the Freshney Place side of Frederick Ward Way. £3.5 million is being invested in Garth Lane, with funding released as a result of the Grimsby Town Deal. Spearheaded by North East Lincolnshire Council, the project is being managed by its regeneration partners ENGIE. A new 5m-wide footbridge will be installed, and the area remodelled to create a family-friendly green space with new furniture, planting, river dredging, and information boards to encourage learning of the natural environment. Emergency grants awarded to community projects © Shutterstock/Casper1774 Studio © United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust Student nurses join Lincolnshire NHS to help tackle coronavirus 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 29/05/2020 16:07 Page 3The Red Arrows are set to stay in Lincolnshire and move to RAF Waddington after the closure of their current base RAF Scampton. With their planned new headquarters a short distance away from their current home, the aerobatic team will still take to the skies above Scampton to practise their world-famous displays. The Ministry of Defence will look at options for preserving the rich history of RAF Scampton after its closure. During the Second World War, the base was home to 617 Squadron which famously took part in the Dambusters raids in 1943. A safety assessment deemed RAF Waddington to be the best possible home for The Red Arrows, and the relocation – which was first announced in 2018 – will now move into the assessment and planning stage. The move forms part of MoD plans to invest £4 billion in its estate over the next ten years, to meet military requirements with modern and efficient facilities and infrastructure. “It is good news that we have an excellent base for them at RAF Waddington, and I am delighted that they will be able to continue to practice their extraordinary aerobatic talents above RAF Scampton in their home county of Lincolnshire,” said Defence Minister Jeremy Quin. Air Vice-Marshal Warren James said: “I am delighted that we now have confirmation that the Royal Air Force Aerobatics Team – The Red Arrows – will remain in the heart of Lincolnshire. The Royal Air Force remains committed to the strong links it has with the county and a considerable amount of work has been carried out to secure a suitable future home location.” © Shutterstock/sam-whitfield1 The Red Arrows set to stay in Lincolnshire! Lincolnshire Fostering Service has released a new animated film called ‘Ellie’s Story’. It’s a real-life account from a care leaver of her experience of being in long-term foster care, as told by Ellie herself. In Lincolnshire there are many children and young people, including groups of brothers and sisters, waiting right now for long-term foster families. Long-term fostering is when a child or young person is cared for until they reach adulthood and beyond. Whilst the film highlights the voice of the child in long-term foster care, it also stresses the positive transformation all foster families have on the lives of children and young people who they care for. So, whether you’re interested in long-term or short-term fostering, you can make a real positive difference to a child’s life! You can watch the film at www.facebook.com/fosteradoptlincs. Enquire about becoming a foster carer today at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/fostering or call 01522 554114. Be inspired to foster by watching ‘Ellie’s Story’ 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 29/05/2020 16:07 Page 4Next >